L
Lenox
Guest
Well, I'm back. Wanted to thank you guys for making the trip easier. Tried to post a question via my smart phone (as I've done before, but just couldn't pull it off as the security puzzle never loaded on the screen) but I was able to solve the problem.
So, I figured I'd finally join to post a trip report, but my user name was taken, so I figured I'd just add it here & the adminstrator can just push it over to the trip reports forum. I promise to take time to get it together (just a little worn from all the week's activities)
Report:
Fri 1/18/13
Decided to take a early Fri train down & grabbed a ticket on the NER 181 leaving NYP at 6:05a & arriving in WAS at 9:44a. I was so tired the night before, but was able to pack, get a ride to the station & grab a tea before boarding. With little time to spare, I spotted a Red Cap in the waiting area while everyone was staring up at the board and was immediately wisked downstairs after he reversed the direction on the escalator. Red Cap asked if I wanted to be placed in the quiet car & since I'd never ridden in one & I was tired I figured it was the best place for me & my bags. He placed my stuff in the overhead storage, I tipped him and commented it was the best money spent all morning!
Ride was smooth, with conductor keeping everyone aware of when their stops were & that we were indeed in a quiet car (with no loud chatting or music allowed). I didn't know what to expect as I booked the ticket the night before, so I was pleasantly suprised.
Arrived in WAS/Union Station on time and went upstairs to the bustling waiting area. I'd wondered whether things had changed but once I spotted Au Bon Pain I knew I was headed in the right direction. Instead of a sugary sweet I opted for a light Miso Soup from PRET which was pretty good for a quick warm snack (plus I was just getting over the flu).
Texted my mother who was attending the US Conference of Mayors & to let her know I had arrived & jumped on the Red Line Metro to the Farragut North Station (thanks to advice from Tracktwentynine). I still get a tad confused when going to purchase from the machines, but there is always is someone who comes to the rescue to point out the particulars until the process is clear. Thank goodness I remembered to keep the pass handy as you need it to exit the station (something that is totally different in NYC where you pay to get on & exit without using the pass).
Arrived at the Capitol Hilton, met my mother & went into the conference. I attended a few seminars and watched & listened as the nations Mayors and our nationally appointed officials discussed issues that concern our country. Took a few pictures, talked with a few officials, grabbed some lunch and then took a small break. After realizing I'd brought nothing to wear to the official Mayor's Party I decided to grab my mother & head to Macy's near 13th Street to solve this issue
. Dress section was stocked and I grabbed a really cute number at a discount (which made the deal sweeter).
Headed back to the Hilton, got ready & headed across the street to the St. Regis for the party. All I can say is what happened in D.C. stayed in D.C. & the party was a success. Great band, good crabcakes & sliders, open bar and heated tent made for a very interesting party .
Sat 1/19.
Had breakfast the next day with Mom & some officials downstairs at the Hilton's in house cafe. Buffet was pretty good & service was attentive. Nice & cozy with dark furniture & sleek decor it was a little haven, away from the cold. Attended another lunch in the main ballroom & then went upstairs to watch TV. Ended up going to bed very early on a Saturday night with no partying .
Sunday 1/20
I was determined to get out and around. Had breakfast with Mom again & then headed out onto the Mall. The weather had changed & it was bright, sunny and warmer. I decided to shed my coat and find a mob & take in the atmosphere. But before I could get lost in the fun, I had to take care of business and decided to buy a metro pass so with enough money to get me back to Union Station (as advised by The Davy Crockett) before Monday so I wouldn't have to stand on those long lines! Great suggestion. I returned to the Hilton & as I walked down 16th street toward the White House I encountered a CSPAN camerman and asked for directions towards the elusive vendor. He pointed me towards 17th and after a quick handshake with a ABC reporter I headed towards the Washington Monument. The vendors were just starting to set up & I purchased a few things for the crew back at home in NYC. Just as I was about to cross Pennsylvania Avenue I spotted a famous actor/rapper in Pedi Cab & snapped a picture (he was looking very relaxed and handsome I might add :wub: ).
I headed towards the Tidal Basin & finally decided to tackle the walk to the Jefferson Memorial. After a windy walk I arrived at my destination in about twenty minutes. By now the weather was a little more brisk and I was happy to take refuge inside the memorial and browse the the aisle's in the store located in the lower level. Once outiside I decided to take a moment for pictures as the sun began to set. I looked over across the basin and realized the mob I was seeking was happily listening to a choir at the MLK memorial, so off I went around the basin towards the crowd. Passed thru the FDR Memorial and took in the scenic waterfalls, beautiful views and snapped a few pics.
The choir I had heard was just belting out thier last few notes when I arrived at the MLK Memorial. It was packed! Plenty of visitors snapping pictures, smiling, exchanging information and just taking in the whole atmosphere. I had never seen it so crowded and it felt like one big outdoor party . I stood their looking out over the basin and then back at the sun setting and the scene was just surreal. I took a few pictures and then headed back up 17th street where more vendors & police had converged. Chatted it up along the route asking questions, joking and bargaining my way back to the Hilton.
As nightfall arrived I inquired on my mother's whearabouts. She had fled the city & went to visit relatives in Fairfax County. Left to my own devices I accepted a dinner invitation from one of the conference attendees & went to a seafood spot that was just around the corner. After a filling meal of crabcakes, salad, veggies, rice & lemon sorbet for dessert I headed back to the Hilton to hear all about my mother's day & make a plan for getting out of the city after the Innauguration.
Mon 1/21
Worn down from all of the festivities, I didn't get up right away, instead lingering in the room, trying to time my arrival on the Mall just right. I'd been in D.C. four years ago and memories of the bitter cold gave me a swift reminder on how to prepare for the crowds & the wait. As I watched the tv I noticed that things were moving a little quicker and I decided to pull myself together and battle my way onto the mall. Although the crowd was big, I was able to get to the huge viewing screen right near the Washington Monument without a problem and a great escape route behind me (open lawn) once the swearing in was over.
The night before I purchased my return ticket on Amtrak.com but did not have a printer. I decided to download the Amtrak App and once I put in my reservation number the ticket appeared (another satisfied smartphone customer). I packed it in, grabed my bags and took a two block walk with mom escorting, back to Farragut North. We said our good buys and I entered the station. By now it was just a little after 1:00pm and the station was getting full, but luckily a metro red line train was just pulling in. Suprising the train wasn't crowded but as we made stops heading towards Union Station it became pretty full (but manageable). Once at Union Station I went upstairs to witness huge crowds! Since I had arrived so early (as my train #132 to Boston did not depart until 3:25) I just sat on my suitcase & then had a small lunch inside the station at Chopt! Just as I finished my salad, I noticed the time & hustled over to the departing track. Showed the agent the ticket on my phone and was waved thru. Grabbed a seat in the quiet car and this time the train was sold out all the way, so I always had company (including a overlyfriendly but very drunk ex hockey player who got on up the line :giggle: ). He was harmless, but let's just say it made for a interesting ride as I continued to sush him in the quiet car. I arrived at NYP about a half hour late and weary but overall happy with the service.
Thanks again to all who help make my trip memorable.
So, I figured I'd finally join to post a trip report, but my user name was taken, so I figured I'd just add it here & the adminstrator can just push it over to the trip reports forum. I promise to take time to get it together (just a little worn from all the week's activities)
Report:
Fri 1/18/13
Decided to take a early Fri train down & grabbed a ticket on the NER 181 leaving NYP at 6:05a & arriving in WAS at 9:44a. I was so tired the night before, but was able to pack, get a ride to the station & grab a tea before boarding. With little time to spare, I spotted a Red Cap in the waiting area while everyone was staring up at the board and was immediately wisked downstairs after he reversed the direction on the escalator. Red Cap asked if I wanted to be placed in the quiet car & since I'd never ridden in one & I was tired I figured it was the best place for me & my bags. He placed my stuff in the overhead storage, I tipped him and commented it was the best money spent all morning!
Ride was smooth, with conductor keeping everyone aware of when their stops were & that we were indeed in a quiet car (with no loud chatting or music allowed). I didn't know what to expect as I booked the ticket the night before, so I was pleasantly suprised.
Arrived in WAS/Union Station on time and went upstairs to the bustling waiting area. I'd wondered whether things had changed but once I spotted Au Bon Pain I knew I was headed in the right direction. Instead of a sugary sweet I opted for a light Miso Soup from PRET which was pretty good for a quick warm snack (plus I was just getting over the flu).
Texted my mother who was attending the US Conference of Mayors & to let her know I had arrived & jumped on the Red Line Metro to the Farragut North Station (thanks to advice from Tracktwentynine). I still get a tad confused when going to purchase from the machines, but there is always is someone who comes to the rescue to point out the particulars until the process is clear. Thank goodness I remembered to keep the pass handy as you need it to exit the station (something that is totally different in NYC where you pay to get on & exit without using the pass).
Arrived at the Capitol Hilton, met my mother & went into the conference. I attended a few seminars and watched & listened as the nations Mayors and our nationally appointed officials discussed issues that concern our country. Took a few pictures, talked with a few officials, grabbed some lunch and then took a small break. After realizing I'd brought nothing to wear to the official Mayor's Party I decided to grab my mother & head to Macy's near 13th Street to solve this issue
. Dress section was stocked and I grabbed a really cute number at a discount (which made the deal sweeter).Headed back to the Hilton, got ready & headed across the street to the St. Regis for the party. All I can say is what happened in D.C. stayed in D.C. & the party was a success. Great band, good crabcakes & sliders, open bar and heated tent made for a very interesting party
.Sat 1/19.
Had breakfast the next day with Mom & some officials downstairs at the Hilton's in house cafe. Buffet was pretty good & service was attentive. Nice & cozy with dark furniture & sleek decor it was a little haven, away from the cold. Attended another lunch in the main ballroom & then went upstairs to watch TV. Ended up going to bed very early on a Saturday night with no partying
.Sunday 1/20
I was determined to get out and around. Had breakfast with Mom again & then headed out onto the Mall. The weather had changed & it was bright, sunny and warmer. I decided to shed my coat and find a mob & take in the atmosphere. But before I could get lost in the fun, I had to take care of business and decided to buy a metro pass so with enough money to get me back to Union Station (as advised by The Davy Crockett) before Monday so I wouldn't have to stand on those long lines! Great suggestion. I returned to the Hilton & as I walked down 16th street toward the White House I encountered a CSPAN camerman and asked for directions towards the elusive vendor. He pointed me towards 17th and after a quick handshake with a ABC reporter I headed towards the Washington Monument. The vendors were just starting to set up & I purchased a few things for the crew back at home in NYC. Just as I was about to cross Pennsylvania Avenue I spotted a famous actor/rapper in Pedi Cab & snapped a picture (he was looking very relaxed and handsome I might add :wub: ).
I headed towards the Tidal Basin & finally decided to tackle the walk to the Jefferson Memorial. After a windy walk I arrived at my destination in about twenty minutes. By now the weather was a little more brisk and I was happy to take refuge inside the memorial and browse the the aisle's in the store located in the lower level. Once outiside I decided to take a moment for pictures as the sun began to set. I looked over across the basin and realized the mob I was seeking was happily listening to a choir at the MLK memorial, so off I went around the basin towards the crowd. Passed thru the FDR Memorial and took in the scenic waterfalls, beautiful views and snapped a few pics.
The choir I had heard was just belting out thier last few notes when I arrived at the MLK Memorial. It was packed! Plenty of visitors snapping pictures, smiling, exchanging information and just taking in the whole atmosphere. I had never seen it so crowded and it felt like one big outdoor party
. I stood their looking out over the basin and then back at the sun setting and the scene was just surreal. I took a few pictures and then headed back up 17th street where more vendors & police had converged. Chatted it up along the route asking questions, joking and bargaining my way back to the Hilton.As nightfall arrived I inquired on my mother's whearabouts. She had fled the city & went to visit relatives in Fairfax County. Left to my own devices I accepted a dinner invitation from one of the conference attendees & went to a seafood spot that was just around the corner. After a filling meal of crabcakes, salad, veggies, rice & lemon sorbet for dessert I headed back to the Hilton to hear all about my mother's day & make a plan for getting out of the city after the Innauguration.
Mon 1/21
Worn down from all of the festivities, I didn't get up right away, instead lingering in the room, trying to time my arrival on the Mall just right. I'd been in D.C. four years ago and memories of the bitter cold gave me a swift reminder on how to prepare for the crowds & the wait. As I watched the tv I noticed that things were moving a little quicker and I decided to pull myself together and battle my way onto the mall. Although the crowd was big, I was able to get to the huge viewing screen right near the Washington Monument without a problem and a great escape route behind me (open lawn) once the swearing in was over.
The night before I purchased my return ticket on Amtrak.com but did not have a printer. I decided to download the Amtrak App and once I put in my reservation number the ticket appeared (another satisfied smartphone customer). I packed it in, grabed my bags and took a two block walk with mom escorting, back to Farragut North. We said our good buys and I entered the station. By now it was just a little after 1:00pm and the station was getting full, but luckily a metro red line train was just pulling in. Suprising the train wasn't crowded but as we made stops heading towards Union Station it became pretty full (but manageable). Once at Union Station I went upstairs to witness huge crowds! Since I had arrived so early (as my train #132 to Boston did not depart until 3:25) I just sat on my suitcase & then had a small lunch inside the station at Chopt! Just as I finished my salad, I noticed the time & hustled over to the departing track. Showed the agent the ticket on my phone and was waved thru. Grabbed a seat in the quiet car and this time the train was sold out all the way, so I always had company (including a overlyfriendly but very drunk ex hockey player who got on up the line :giggle: ). He was harmless, but let's just say it made for a interesting ride as I continued to sush him in the quiet car. I arrived at NYP about a half hour late and weary but overall happy with the service.
Thanks again to all who help make my trip memorable.
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